Another chance for a skatepark

By Favian Audieri

In Hercules, the usually vacant parking lot between Home Depot and Dragon Terrace is rarely used by anyone except one significant and steadily-growing portion of the population—the skateboarders. On any given day at least a handful of skaters can be found assembling at this location, known as “the Manual Pad,” named for its single, inadequate obstacle, a mere slab of cement on which various technical maneuvers can be executed.

Skateboarders are not ecstatic about their hangout—who would be, with a flat parking lot with one boring obstacle?—but it is one of the only places in Hercules where they can usually ride in peace. Occasionally, however, the police order them to leave. Drivers complain about “little kids” dangerously whizzing by and businesses in the vicinity are angered by childish antics that may drive away customers. Graffiti and litter have become more abundant in the area as well. It’s déjà vu for skateboarders; this is exactly how the closure of the Hercules skate park came about.

Some major changes have occurred recently that justify the creation of a skate park for the youth of Hercules more than ever. The number of skaters in Hercules and surrounding cities is skyrocketing. Everywhere at school, students walk around clinging to their skateboards. When the final bell rings, a wave of skaters are seen leaving from the clock tower.

On any given weekday, a few skaters are sure to be found at the Manual Pad, but on weekends, the sight is far more dramatic—it is flooded with kids, from beginners to those who have been in it for the long haul. The skateboarders are forming a majority in the town’s recreational population. Skaters from the cities of Pinole and Rodeo even migrate to Hercules. Something needs to be done to accommodate the needs of this rapidly growing demographic.

The community would benefit tremendously with the reinstallation of a skate park. Continuing to punish all skateboarders for bad decisions by a minority would be unfair. Vandalism, litter and immature behavior still pose problems for the city, but conditions can be dramatically improved by building a skate park in a location that is easier to supervise than the former skate facility, tucked away in isolation behind a soccer field. A perfect location for the park would be next to the new teen center.

Competitions, barbeques, and skateboarding lessons could be held at the new skate park, thus creating jobs for young Hercules citizens and fostering benevolence in the community towards skateboarders. Most importantly, it would make skaters feel more comfortable in their own city. The presence of a skate park will keep kids out of trouble because they’ll have a place to go when boredom proves unbearable, and having harmless fun will be effortless.

A new, well-maintained skate park is a win-win situation for a growing number of young people as well as the city. If the city is reluctant to build a state-of-the-art skate park due to the monetary expense, a small admission fee could be charged (although I do not recommend this), or it could make money from lessons and summer camps. Over a period of time the debts from the construction could be paid off and the city could even make a profit.

According to a sports research film in Cortland Manor, N.Y., there are 12 million skateboarders in the United States. New skate parks are popping up all around the country; some cities even have more than one. “The Dynamic City” needs to get with the times and supply such a facility for its ill-fated skateboarders.